ICAO Level 4

Aviation English Language Proficiency

Aviation English Language Proficiency

The need for an international certification for aviation English was the result of an extensive
research by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), which concluded that a large
percentage of accidents or incidents were caused or at least intensified by the inability of pilots
and air traffic controllers (ATC) to communicate, due to lack of adequate knowledge of plain
English. As a result, ICAO established the framework for a test of English for aviation, which
every pilot and ATC would be required to pass. ICAO introduced the Level 1 to Level 6
grading scale, with Level 4 being the minimum pass grade. ICAO decided to give national civil
aviation authorities around the world the right to certify tests developed by organisations with
the required linguistic know-how (universities and colleges with extensive experience in English
language testing)1.

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has certified flight training organisation Global Aviation
(GR-ATO-102) as test centre for the Aviation English Language Proficiency Test – ICAO Level
4. Global Aviation can award pilots and ATC the aviation English language proficiency certificate,
according to ICAO instructions (Level 1 to Level 6).

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http://www.icao.int/index.html
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The Aviation English Language Proficiency Test

The Language Proficiency Test is a test that examines the candidate’s ability to
communicate safely in English. Following ICAO guidelines, the test examines the use of plain,
non-routine language and not specialised aviation phraseology. Consequently, the test is strictly
oral and does not contain any written exam. It lasts approximately 30 minutes, it is done face
to face with a certified examiner and is recorded for safety and quality assurance reasons.
There is no specific material that has to be prepared or submitted before the test. The cost of
each exam is 200 Euros. The test can award the candidate all possible grades, according to
the ICAO grading scale, Level 1 to Level 6.

If the candidate achieves Level 1, 2 or 3 he/she fails and has to take the test again. There is no
minimum time before the candidate can re-take the test and no maximum number of re-takes.
Failing to achieve Level 4 does not affect the validity of the candidate’s license provided it
hasn’t expired for any other reason. If the candidate achieves Level 4, he/she gets the aviation
English language proficiency for 4 years, while achieving Level 5 grants him/her the certification
for 6 years and Level 6 for the rest of his/her life.

In the course of the test the candidate is graded (in the scale of 1-6) on the 6 ICAO language
descriptors and receives the lowest of 6 marks:

1. Pronunciation
2. Structure
3. Vocabulary
4. Fluency
5. Comprehension
6. Interactions

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Part 1 – Interview (5 minutes)

The examiner asks the candidate a series of questions on common, concrete and work-related
topics relating to his/her aviation background. This part examines the use of basic English.

The point here is for the candidate to warm-up, relieve him/her of any stress
and prove he/she knows the basic.
Very short answers should be avoided.

Part 2 – Role Playing Exercise (10 minutes)

Part 2 of the test is a Role Playing Exercise where the candidate assumes the role of the pilot
and communicates with the examiner based on a script. All the different scenarios are based on
realistic non-routine situations. The use of the English language and not the particular views of
the candidate are of interest to the examiner.

A great level of concentration is required.

Very short answers should again be avoided and the candidate should
elaborate on his views on the subject.

Part 3 – Discussion (15 minutes)

The candidate is asked a series of questions related to an aviation-related topic.

The point here is for the candidate and the examiner to enter a conversation,
where the candidate will be given the opportunity to show that he/she has a
higher level of English and deserves something more than Level 4.
The candidate should attempt to use more complex structures if possible.
Very short answers should again be avoided and the candidate should
elaborate on his views on the subject.
As in other parts of the test, the use of the English language and not the
particular views of the candidate are of interest to the examiner.

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Rating and Certification

The rating of the exam is done by the examiner after the end of the test and is randomly
checked by various Global Aviation examiners. Global Aviation informs all candidates of their
results within 24 hrs.

Successful candidates can collect their Certificate from Global Aviation, 79-81 Filonos Street
Piraeus, or arrange (at their own expense and responsibility) any courier service for delivering
the certificates to any other location.

Unsuccessful candidates can re-take the exam whenever they feel is right, provided they have
arranged a new exam with Global Aviation. The cost of re-taking the test is 200 Euros.